Play field reel glass enhancement

ABSTRACT

Techniques for providing a play field reel glass enhancement on a gaming machine with mechanical spinning reels. A plurality of mechanical spinning reels are configured to indicate a gaming outcome for a wager game played on the gaming machine by a player. A light board located in front of the plurality of mechanical spinning reels lights up individual or groups of the light emitting elements. A graphic element on a reel glass is placed in front of the light board, creating the play field reel glass enhancement that is backlit by the light board to indicate gaming information to a player. A touch screen may be communicatively coupled with the reel glass to receive game input from the player, thereby making the play field reel glass enhancement interactive.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to wager-based gaming machines,and more specifically to methods and devices for providing a play fieldreel glass enhancement on a wager-based gaming machine with mechanicalspinning reels.

BACKGROUND

Typically, utilizing a master gaming controller, a gaming machinecontrols various combinations of devices that allow a player to play awager game on the gaming machine and also encourage game play on thegaming machine. For example, a wager game played on a gaming machineusually requires a player to input money or indicia of credit into thegaming machine, indicate a wager amount, and initiate a game play. Thesesteps require the gaming machine to control payment devices, includingbill validators and coin acceptors, to accept money into the gamingmachine and recognize user inputs from user interfaces, including keypads and button pads, to determine the wager amount and initiate gameplay. After game play has been initiated, the gaming machine determinesa wager game outcome, presents the game outcome to the player and maydispense an award of some type depending on the outcome of the wagergame.

In addition to the wager game, a gaming machine may provide one or moresecondary games that trigger based on the outcome of a wager game ormultiple wager games. These secondary games serve as incentives forcontinued or higher-valued game play. Examples of secondary gamesinclude progressive jackpots and bonus games.

Gaming machines can present both the wager game and a secondary game atvarious times on single video display. Despite this option, gamingmachines often use traditional mechanical spinning reels to representthe outcome of the wager game because many players prefer a mechanicalmachine over a virtual representation.

Therefore, gaming machines that provide for wager games and secondarygames typically include mechanical spinning reels located behind a glassscreen (or “reel glass”) and a “play field” display configured toprovide secondary game events. In addition, mechanical spinning reelplayers like to see and know the winning outcomes prior to selecting orwhile playing the game, which may also be displayed in the play field.

Typically, the mechanical spinning reels are located at an optimumviewing height for a seated player, and therefore, the play field isplaced above the main cabinet of the gaming machine at a “top box.”However, this placement creates significant distance between the playerand the play field. The play field ends up well above the player's headand is difficult to see. Furthermore, the play field is unsuitable forgaming machines that allow player interaction with the play fieldbecause the player may need to stand to reach the top box.

For the foregoing and other reasons, it would be desirable to providenovel methods and devices for presenting the play field (or any otherinteractive display that in the past was located in an inconvenientposition around the reel glass) as an enhancement to the reel glass sothat the player can conveniently see and reach the play field, whilekeeping the mechanical spinning reels at the optimal viewing height.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments described or referenced herein are directed togaming machines and methods implementing and using techniques forproviding a play field reel glass enhancement on a wager-based gamingmachine with mechanical spinning reels.

In one aspect, a gaming machine provides a wager game and a secondarygame to a player for game play. The gaming machine includes a pluralityof mechanical spinning reels configured to indicate a gaming outcome forthe wager game played on the gaming machine by the player. A light boardincluding a plurality of light emitting elements is located in front ofthe plurality of mechanical spinning reels. The light board isconfigured to light up individual or groups of the light emittingelements responsive to the wager gaming outcome. A reel glass includinga graphic element representing a play field is located in front of thelight board. The graphic element is configured to be backlit by thelight board to indicate wager game information or secondary gameinformation to the player.

In some implementations, the gaming machine includes a light barrierconfigured to pass only some of the light from the lit up individual orgroups of the light emitting elements on the light board to the graphicelement to indicate the wager game or the secondary game information tothe player.

In some implementations, the gaming machine includes a touch screencommunicatively coupled with the reel glass. The reel glass may belocated in front of the touch screen, with the touch screen configuredto receive input from the player when the player touches an interactivearea of the reel glass.

In some implementations, the interactive area of the reel glasscorresponds with the graphic element on the reel glass. The input fromthe player at the interactive area includes secondary game input.

In some implementations, the interactive area of the reel glasscorresponds with a gaming meter configured to display wager game sessiondata. The gaming meter is communicatively coupled with the touch screen.The input from the player at the interactive area includes wager gameinput.

In some implementations, the touch screen may be located in front of thereel glass. The touch screen is configured to receive input from theplayer when the player touches an interactive area of the touch screen.

In some implementations, the interactive area of the touch screencorresponds with the graphic element on the reel glass. The input fromthe player at the interactive area includes secondary game input.

In some implementations, the interactive area of the touch screencorresponds with a gaming meter configured to display wager game sessiondata. The gaming meter is communicatively coupled with the touch screen.The input from the player at the interactive area includes wager gameinput.

In some implementations, the light board is a printed circuit board. Insome implementations, the light emitting elements are light emittingdiodes, incandescent, florescent, fiber optic, light pipes, orcombinations thereof.

In some implementations, the graphic element configured to be backlit bythe light board to indicate secondary game information represents anattraction routine.

In another aspect, a method provides a wager game and a secondary gameon a gaming machine to a player for game play. The method involvesreceiving a wager game input from a player and displaying the wager gameoutcome on a plurality of mechanical spinning reels. A determination ismade as to the availability of a secondary game based on the wager gameoutcome. An individual or groups of light emitting elements are lit on alight board on a light board upon determining that the secondary game isavailable. Secondary game information is displayed at a reel glass. Thereel glass includes a graphic element. The graphic element is configuredto be backlit by the light board.

In some implementations, the method includes passing, through a lightbarrier, only some of the light from the lit individual or groups oflight emitting elements on the light board to the graphic element todisplay the secondary game information to the player.

In some implementations, the method includes receiving input from a userthat touches an interactive area of the reel glass, with the reel glasscommunicatively coupled with a touch screen located behind the reelglass.

In some implementations, the method includes receiving secondary gameinput at the interactive area of the reel glass. The interactive area ofthe reel glass corresponds with the graphic element. The input from theuser includes secondary game input.

In some implementations, the method includes receiving wager game inputat the interactive area of the reel glass. The interactive area of thereel glass corresponds with a gaming meter configured to display wagergame session data. The gaming meter is communicatively coupled with thetouch screen. The input from the user includes wager game input.

In some implementations, the method includes receiving input from a userthat touches an interactive area of the touch screen, with the touchscreen located in front of the reel glass.

In some implementations, the method includes receiving bonus game inputat the interactive area of the touch screen. The interactive area of thetouch screen corresponds with the graphic element. The input from theuser includes secondary game input.

In some implementations, the method includes receiving wager game inputat the interactive area of the touch screen. The interactive area of thetouch screen corresponds a gaming meter configured to display wager gamesession data. The gaming meter is communicatively coupled with the touchscreen. The input from the user includes wager game input.

In some implementations, the light board is a printed circuit board andthe light emitting elements are light emitting diodes, incandescent,florescent, fiber optic, light pipes or combinations thereof.

In some implementations, the method includes representing an attractionroutine with the graphic element configured to be backlit by the lightboard.

Aspects of the invention may be implemented by networked gamingmachines, game servers and other such devices. These and other featuresand benefits of aspects of the invention will be described in moredetail below with reference to the associated drawings. In addition,other methods, features and advantages of the invention will be or willbecome apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of thefollowing figures and detailed description. It is intended that all suchadditional methods, features and advantages be included within thisdescription, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected bythe accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The included drawings are for illustrative purposes and serve only toprovide examples of possible structures and process steps for thedisclosed subject matter. These drawings in no way limit any changes inform and detail that may be made to embodiments by one skilled in theart without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 shows a gaming machine, configured in accordance with someimplementations.

FIG. 2A shows a front view of a display area of a gaming machine,configured in accordance with some implementations.

FIG. 2B shows an exploded view of the components of the display areaconfigured, configured in accordance with some implementations.

FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram of a method for providing a play field reelglass enhancement, performed in accordance with some implementations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Applications of gaming machines and methods according to one or moreembodiments are described in this section. These examples are beingprovided solely to add context and aid in the understanding of thepresent disclosure. It will thus be apparent to one skilled in the artthat the techniques described herein may be practiced without some orall of these specific details. In other instances, well known processsteps have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarilyobscuring the present disclosure. Other applications are possible, suchthat the following examples should not be taken as definitive orlimiting either in scope or setting.

In the following detailed description, references are made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part of the description and in whichare shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments. Although theseembodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable one skilled inthe art to practice the disclosure, it is understood that these examplesare not limiting, such that other embodiments may be used and changesmay be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionas defined by the appended claims.

The present invention provides gaming machines and methods implementingand using techniques for providing a play field reel glass enhancementon a wager-based gaming machine with mechanical spinning reels. Althoughthe current description primarily describes slot-type gaming machines,some implementations of the invention apply equally to similar types ofmachines that are used to display a game outcome.

FIG. 1 shows a gaming machine 100 including a display area 101, a topbox 102, top box display 105, a user interface 103, and a payment device104.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the display area 101 includes a reel glass 201 thatacts as a surface of the display area. The reel glass 201 includeswindow features 209 that reveal a plurality of mechanical spinning reels(“mechanical spinning reels”) 203 and a gaming meter 204. In someembodiments, the window features may be cut out from reel glass 201 ormay be substantially transparent areas defined by portions of reel glass201 that are not covered by a graphic element 202. The reel glass 201also includes non-window features covered by the graphic element 202.

The mechanical spinning reels 203 are configured to indicate a gameoutcome for the wager game. As shown in FIG. 2A, the mechanical spinningreels 203 are comprised of five individual mechanical spinning reels,wherein each individual mechanical spinning reel includes one or moreassociated gaming symbols. The presentation of the gaming symbols ismodified on the plurality of mechanical spinning reels, such as byspinning the reels or otherwise changing which symbols are presented onthe reels. The wager gaming outcome is determined by the gaming symbolspresented on the reels.

The Gaming meter 204 is configured to display wager game session data.In some aspects, the gaming meter is a liquid crystal display (LCD)monitor. However, those of skill in the art will recognize that anydisplay device capable of presenting information to a player on a screenmay perform the function of game meter 204. The wager game session datadisplayed on the gaming meter 204 may include data regarding the entiregaming session as well as data regarding an individual wager game eventor an individual wager game outcome.

The non-window areas of the reel glass 201 as noted are covered by thegraphic element 202. As shown in FIG. 2A, the graphic element 202 isprinted on the reel glass 201. In one example, silkscreening techniquesmay be used. However, any other methods known to those of skill in theart may be used to associate the graphic element with the reel glass.

The graphic element 202 can be conceptually divided into two categoriesof subparts: a “play field” and a background. The graphic elementsubparts 202 a-202 i represents the play field designed to communicatesecondary game information or potential wager game outcomes to theplayer of the gaming machine 100. A graphic element subpart 202 jrepresents a background for the graphic element 202. A secondary game isa bonus event that triggers based on one or more prior outcomes of thebase wager game. The secondary game event is designed to encouragecontinued or higher-value game play on the gaming machine. Examples ofsecondary game events include a bonus spin game, a board game, or aprogressive jackpot game.

The graphic element 202 in FIG. 2A represents a play field for a bonusspin game. The graphic element subparts 202 a-202 d indicate a colorcoded key for 5×, 10×, 20×, and 50× jackpot multipliers respectively.The graphic element 202 further includes graphic element subparts 202e-202 i located above a corresponding mechanical spinning reel of themechanical spinning reels 203. When a bonus spin is available, some orall of the graphic element subparts 202 e-202 i light up with a colorcorresponding to a jackpot multiplier amount.

As would be understood by those of skill in the art, the appearance ofthe play field on the reel glass 201 may depend on the requirements ofthe secondary gaming event. The graphic element 202 may include anynumber of graphic element subparts. Furthermore, while the graphicelement subparts 202 a-202 i are located above the mechanical spinningreels 203 in FIG. 2A, those of skill in the art will appreciate that thegraphic element subparts may be located anywhere on graphic element 202,i.e., the non-window parts of the reel glass 201.

FIG. 2B shows an exploded view of the components of the display area 101configured according to one implementation. Relative to the perspectiveof a player operating the gaming machine 100, a light board 205 islocated in front of mechanical spinning reels 203 and behind the reelglass 201. A microprocessor 208 is located within gaming machine 100 andcommunicatively connected with the mechanical spinning reels 203, thelight board 205, and the gaming meter 204. In some implementations, themicroprocessor 208 is configured to control the operation of themechanical spinning reels 203 and gaming meter 204 for the primary wagergame, and responsive to the outcome on the mechanical spinning reels, tocontrol the operation of the light board 205 for the secondary gameevent. The light board 205 includes a plurality of light emittingelements and is configured to light up individual or groups of the lightemitting elements responsive to a gaming outcome for the wager game.

When a secondary game is determined to be available based on the basewager game outcome, the light board 205 backlights the graphic element202 to indicate secondary game information. Dependent upon the featuresof the graphic element 202, the backlighting may indicate theavailability of a secondary game, the game play progress of thesecondary game, or the outcome of the secondary game. In otherembodiments, the backlighting may be configured to display an attractionroutine.

In one implementation, the light board 205 in FIG. 2B is printed circuitboard. However, the light board may be any type of circuitry capable oflighting up individual or groups of light emitting elements in responseto a gaming outcome. In one implementation, the light emitting elementsare light emitting diodes (LEDs). However, the light emitting elementsmay be any other effective backlight sources known to those of skill inthe art including incandescent, florescent, fiber optic, light pipes, ELpanel, cold cathode or combinations thereof. The color of emitted lightmay be determined by the light board, the microprocessor 208communicatively connected to the light board, or by the selection oflight emitting elements.

A light barrier 206 in FIG. 2B may be located in front of the lightboard 205 and behind the reel glass 201. The light barrier 206 isconfigured to pass only some of the light from the light board 205 tothe backlit reel glass 201. The light barrier 206 contains features 206a-206 i that correspond to the graphic element subparts 202 a-202 i onthe reel glass 201. The features 206 a-206 i pass more light than therest the light barrier. In one implementation, the features 2006 a-206 iare transparent while the rest of the light barrier is opaque. As wouldbe understood by a person of skill in the art, the light barrierfeatures 206 a-206 i correspond with the graphic element subparts 202a-202 i to allow the light board to backlight the play field more thanother subparts of the graphic element 202, such as the backgroundgraphic element subpart 202 j. In other implementations, gaming machine100 has no light barrier 206. In other implementations, backgroundgraphic element subpart 202 j is opaque and effectively performs thefunction of the light barrier 206.

A touch screen 207 shown in FIG. 2B can be communicatively coupled withthe reel glass 201 to receive input from the player, such as secondarygame input. The touch screen should not interfere with the backlightingof the reel glass, and therefore, is transparent in a preferredimplementation. As shown in FIG. 2B, the touch screen 207 may be locatedbehind the reel glass 201. One example of a touch screen capable ofreceiving inputs behind the reel glass is a projected capacitive touchscreen. The touch screen is communicatively coupled with the reel glassso that the touch screen receives input from the player when the playertouches an interactive area of the reel glass.

In another implementation, the touch screen 207 is located in front ofreel glass 201. The touch screen may be configured to receive input fromthe player when the player touches an interactive area of the touchscreen.

In FIG. 2B, the interactive areas of the touch screen include the playfield. More specifically for the bonus spin game shown in FIG. 2B, theinteractive areas of the touch screen include the areas corresponding tothe graphic element subparts 202 e-202 i. When a bonus spin game isavailable, one or more of the graphic element subparts 202 e-202 i lightup to indicate that a bonus spin is available on corresponding reelsbelow the lit up graphic element subparts. A player may then touch theone or more graphic element subparts 202 e-202 i to select correspondingreels for a bonus spin. However, just as any area of the reel glass maycontain the graphic element, any area of the reel glass can beconfigured to be an interactive area.

As discussed, the gaming machine 100 includes the gaming meter 204 shownin FIG. 2B and FIG. 2A. The gaming meter is configured to display wagergame session data such as paylines, wager amounts, game rules, orcredits available. The gaming meter may be, as noted, an LCD monitor orany other video display device. The gaming meter may be furtherconfigured to receive some or all of the wager game input. In oneimplementation, the gaming meter 204 has a built-in touch screen. Thereel glass 201 and the touch screen 207 do not cover the front of gamingmeter 204, thereby allowing direct user access to the built-in touchscreen of gaming meter 204. In the implementation shown in FIG. 2B, thegaming meter 204 is a standard video display device without a built-intouch screen. The gaming meter 204 is communicatively coupled to thetouch screen 207 to receive some or all of the wager game input. Inanother implementation, the gaming meter 204 is communicatively coupledto a second touch screen that is not the touch screen 207. The touchscreen 207 is configured to only receive secondary game input at theplay field area of the reel glass.

The top box 102, as shown in FIG. 1 and as noted, includes the videodisplay 105 configured to display attraction routines that attempt toconvince casino patrons to initiate a gaming session. In otherimplementations, the top box 102 may also be configured to display atleast some secondary game information to a player. In yet anotherimplementation, all attraction routines and secondary game informationare displayed on the graphic element 202 as part of the play field reelglass enhancement. The gaming machine 100 may have no top box, oralternatively, the top box may be configured for other featuresincluding speakers, a ticket printer which prints bar-coded tickets anda key pad for entering player tracking information.

FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram of an example of a method 300 for providinga play field reel glass enhancement. The method 300 begins in step 305where an attraction routine is displayed on the play field reel glassenhancement, the gaming meter 204, the top box 102, or combinationsthereof. The attraction routine runs for the purpose of attracting aplayer to initiate a wager gaming session when the gaming machine is notbeing used for game play.

In step 310, an input is received from a player indicating theinitiation of a game session for wager game play. Responsive toreceiving an input indicating a game session, the gaming machineprovides game play of a wager game in step 315. A game may be played byentering the desired bet configuration (e.g., the number of credits perspin or the number of lines for a certain number of coins) and pressinga spin or repeat the bet buttons. In one implementation, step 315 mayinclude receiving wager game input when the player touches aninteractive area of the reel glass 201 or the touch screen 207,depending on whether the touch screen is located behind or in front ofthe reel glass respectively. The interactive area corresponds with thegaming meter 204, the gaming meter lacking a built-in touch screen andconfigured to display wager game session data. In other implementations,the gaming meter 204 includes a built-in touch screen. Step 315 includesthe additional step of receiving wager game input when the playertouches an interactive area of the gaming meter

In step 320, the wager game outcome is displayed on the plurality ofmechanical spinning reels 203. Proceeding to step 325, themicroprocessor 208 determines the availability of the secondary game bycomparing the outcome displayed on the plurality of mechanical spinningreels 203 against a predetermined set of outcomes.

In one implementation of determination step 326, a predetermined set ofoutcomes for a single wager game round is configured to trigger asecondary game. However, the criteria for triggering a secondary gamecan depend on any chosen set of criteria selected for the purpose ofencouraging continued or higher-value game play. For example, thesecondary game may be a progressive jackpot and the gaming machine maybe communicatively connected to a network of other gaming machines. Inthis implementation, a progressive jackpot opportunity may be triggeredbased on the outcomes of several sessions of game play on severalnetworked gaming machines by several different players.

If a secondary game is determined to be unavailable at determinationstep 326, the method returns to step 345, wherein the player may provideinput indicating the termination of the wager gaming session. If theplayer terminates the game session in determination step 346, the methodreturns to step 305 wherein an attraction routine is displayed on theplay field reel glass enhancement, the gaming meter 204, the top box102, or combinations thereof. If the player does not choose to terminatethe game session in determination step 326, the method returns to step315 to provide another round of wager gaming.

If the secondary game is determined to be available at determinationstep 326, however, the method proceeds to step 330 wherein secondarygame information is displayed to the player at the reel glass 201. Thereel glass, as noted, includes the graphic element 202 that isconfigured to be back lit by the light board 205, whereby the playerviewing the backlit reel glass with graphic element receives secondarygame information. The secondary game may be, but is not limited to, abonus reel spin game, a board game, or a progressive jackpot. Those ofskill in the art will recognize, however, that these are merely examplesof secondary games fit for the purpose of encouraging continued orhigher-value game play.

In step 335 shown in FIG. 3, secondary game input is received when theplayer touches an interactive area of the reel glass 201 or the touchscreen 207, depending on whether the touch screen is located behind orin front of the reel glass respectively. The interactive areacorresponds with the graphic element 202 on the reel glass 201.Specifically, for the bonus spin game of FIGS. 2A and 2B, theinteractive areas correspond with the graphic element subparts 202 e-202i.

In step 340, the outcome of the secondary game is presented to theplayer. The outcome may be presented on the play field (the graphicelement 202 on the reel glass 201), the gaming meter 204, the mechanicalspinning reels 203, or any combinations thereof. A person of skill inthe art will select the appropriate method for secondary game outcomedisplay based on factors such as the secondary game type, cost, orcommunicational clarity. The method 300 then proceeds to step 345wherein input from the player may terminate the gaming session.

Upon receiving an indication to terminate the game session atdetermination step 346, the method returns to step 305 wherein theattraction routine runs for the purpose of attracting a player toinitiate a wager gaming session. If the player does not choose toterminate the game session, the method returns to step 315 to provideanother round of wager gaming.

Any of the above implementations may be used alone or together with oneanother in any combination. Although various implementations may havebeen motivated by various deficiencies with the prior art, which may bediscussed or alluded to in one or more places in the specification, theembodiments do not necessarily address any of these deficiencies. Inother words, different implementations may address differentdeficiencies that may be discussed in the specification. Someimplementations may only partially address some deficiencies or just onedeficiency that may be discussed in the specification, and someimplementations may not address any of these deficiencies.

While various implementations have been described herein, it should beunderstood that they have been presented by way of example only, and notlimitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present applicationshould not be limited by any of the implementations described herein,but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims andtheir equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A gaming machine comprising: a plurality ofmechanical spinning reels configured to indicate a gaming outcome for awager game played on the gaming machine by a player; a light boardincluding a plurality of light emitting elements, the light boardlocated in front of the plurality of mechanical spinning reels, thelight board configured to light up individual or groups of the lightemitting elements responsive to the gaming outcome; and a reel glassincluding a graphic element, the reel glass located in front of thelight board, the graphic element configured to be backlit by the lightboard to indicate wager game information or secondary game informationto the player.
 2. The gaming machine of claim 1, further comprising alight barrier configured to pass only some of the light from the lit upindividual or groups of the light emitting elements on the light boardto the graphic element to indicate the wager game information orsecondary game information to the player.
 3. The gaming machine of claim1, further comprising a touch screen communicatively coupled with thereel glass, the reel glass located in front of the touch screen, thetouch screen configured to receive input from the player when the playertouches an interactive area of the reel glass.
 4. The gaming machine ofclaim 3, wherein the interactive area corresponds with the graphicelement and the input from the player includes secondary game input. 5.The gaming machine of claim 3, wherein the interactive area correspondswith a gaming meter configured to display wager game session data, thegaming meter being communicatively coupled with the touch screen and theinput from the player includes wager game input.
 6. The gaming machineof claim 1, further comprising a touch screen located in front of thereel glass, the touch screen configured to receive input from the playerwhen the player touches an interactive area of the touch screen.
 7. Thegaming machine of claim 6, wherein the interactive area corresponds withthe graphic element and the input from the player includes secondarygame input.
 8. The gaming machine of claim 6, wherein the interactivearea corresponds with a gaming meter configured to display wager gamesession data, the gaming meter being communicatively coupled with thetouch screen, the input from the player includes wager game input. 9.The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the light board is a printedcircuit board and the light emitting elements are light emitting diodes,incandescent, florescent, fiber optic, light pipes, EL panel, coldcathode, or combinations thereof.
 10. The gaming machine of claim 1,wherein the graphic element configured to be backlit by the light boardfurther represents an attraction routine.
 11. A computer-implementedmethod comprising: receiving wager game input from a player; displayinga wager game outcome on a plurality of mechanical spinning reels;determining at a microprocessor the availability of a secondary gamebased on the wager game outcome; lighting up individual or groups oflight emitting elements on a light board, upon determining that thesecondary game is available; and displaying secondary game informationat a reel glass, the reel glass including a graphic element, the graphicelement configured to be backlit by the light board.
 12. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 11, the method further comprisingpassing, through a light barrier, only some of the light from the litindividual or groups of light emitting elements on the light board tothe graphic element to display the secondary game information to theplayer.
 13. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, the methodfurther comprising receiving input from a user that touches aninteractive area of the reel glass, the reel glass communicativelycoupled with a touch screen located behind the reel glass.
 14. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 13, the method further comprisingreceiving secondary game input at the interactive area of the reelglass, wherein the interactive area of the reel glass corresponds withthe graphic element, wherein the input from the user includes secondarygame input.
 15. The computer-implemented method of claim 13, the methodfurther comprising receiving wager game input at the interactive area ofthe reel glass, wherein the interactive area of the reel glasscorresponds with a gaming meter configured to display wager game sessiondata, the gaming meter being communicatively coupled with the touchscreen and the input from the user includes wager game input.
 16. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 11, the method further comprisingreceiving input from a user that touches an interactive area of a touchscreen, the touch screen located in front of the reel glass.
 17. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 16, the method further comprisingreceiving bonus game input at the interactive area of the touch screen,wherein the interactive area of the touch screen corresponds with thegraphic element, wherein the input from the user includes secondary gameinput.
 18. The computer-implemented method of claim 16, the methodfurther comprising receiving wager game input at the interactive area ofthe touch screen, wherein the interactive area of the touch screencorresponds with a gaming meter configured to display wager game sessiondata, the gaming meter being communicatively coupled with the touchscreen and the input from the user includes wager game input.
 19. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 11, wherein the light board is aprinted circuit board and the light emitting elements are light emittingdiodes, incandescent, florescent, fiber optic, light pipes, orcombinations thereof.
 20. The computer-implemented method of claim 11,the method further comprising representing an attraction routine withthe graphic element configured to be backlit by the light board.